CHICAGO - The UIC softball team (21-18) gets set to compete in its final nonconference game of the season on Wednesday as it heads out to DeKalb, Ill., to take on Northern Illinois (26-20). First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT at Mary M. Bell Field.

The Flames return to competition after taking two-of-three games at Wright State (April 24-26). UIC split its doubleheader with a 7-1 win and 7-6 loss before taking the finale, 3-2. Laura Swan batted .500 in the series with five hits, one double, one home run and three RBI. The Flames' pitching staff combined for a 1.40 ERA and was led by Elaine Heflin (1.24 ERA), who threw 17 innings with 17 strikeouts for the pair of wins to garner Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors.

UIC's offensive production continues to progress and is led by Tiana Mack-Miller (.358), Eleni Polites (.355), Paige Peterson (.321), Amanda Mener (.314) and Swan (.314). Mack-Miller tops all players with 44 hits, 14 doubles, four home runs, 29 RBI and owns a slugging percentage of .585 and on-base percentage of .421.

Heflin (2.88 ERA) and Bridget Boyle (4.67 ERA) have combined to throw over 200 innings for the Flames this season while tallying respective records of 10-9 and 6-7. Heflin owns 12 complete games and 99 strikeouts in 28 appearances, with Boyle taking four complete games and 47 Ks in 22 showings. Through 39 games, the Flame throwers have held opposing batters to a .270 average while producing a team ERA of 3.58.

Northern Illinois will host its last home game of the season against UIC after going 3-1 in its last four games over the weekend against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. The Huskies own a strong record of 11-4 when playing in DeKalb this season, with a 3-2 mark against nonconference foes.

The NIU offense is hitting .283 this season and is led by Kayti Grable (.412), Bryanna Phelan (.359), Kali Kossakowski (.315), Emily Naegele (.309) and Jessica Sturm (.303). Grable owns the most hits with 54 and has collected 11 of the team's 37 home runs, while Kosskowski has come in with a team-high 11 stolen bases.

Keegan Hayes (2.66 ERA) and Jessica Sturm (3.26 ERA) have each pitched more than 130 innings and own records of 13-8 and 11-10, respectively. Opposing batters are hitting .265 against the Huskies while striking out 161 times.

UIC is 29-22 in the all-time series against Northern Illinois, with a 5-2 mark over the last six seasons. In last year's meeting, the Huskies claimed a 12-4 win at Flames Field.